Evaluation Value of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Spinal Diseases.

Lee, G S; Park, Y; Sung, T K; Lee, C J; Nho, J W; Choi, C R

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1981;10(2): 477-486.

G S Lee, Y Park, T K Sung, C J Lee, J W Nho, C R Choi

CNS and Pain Management Institute St. Paul's Hospital, Catholic Medical College, Seoul, Korea.

ABSTRACT

Somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) responses in patients with spinal diseases are checked and analysed. Data from 20 normal subjects are given for comparision with the abnormal SEP responses obtained from 13 patients with spinal diseases showed low amplitude and delayed latency in early and late components compared as normal one. So we were able to predict the degree of spinal cord injury with SEP responses. The SEP pattern was changed to normal one according to recovery of cord injury. Some cases revealed normal wave pattern in spite neurologically paralytic signs. It has suggested that SEP has been responsed abnormal interruption of the sensory pathway of the central nervous system. However, in spite of the lesion of the motor pathway of the central nervous system the SEP is normal. According to above results, we have found the SEP is most useful method to evaluate of sensory pathway of the central nervous system.